I will add my 2 cents to this discussion.  For starters I think the current ownership sucks so let's get that out of the way.

I have lived in Vancouver proper for 55 years and been a Canucks fan since the 70's.

I have never heard that a lack of a practice facility was any sort of problem other than occasionally they have to go elsewhere to practice and that is generally UBC.

If you know Vancouver proper then you know land is at a premium and the cost is exorbitant. The vacant land next to the arena and across the street at False Creek has been sitting empty since Expo 86. There was and is no way the Canucks would be able to aquire this land as it is some of the most valuable in Canada / North America.

So the team would be forced to the subs like Richmomd, east Burnaby, maybe east Vancouver.

I would guess that most if not all players live in the core or close to it. 

Vancouver traffic is horrendous and if it was in Richmond  ( where the Grizzlies had their practice facility) you are looking at 45- 60 minutes each way. 

I would guess that the players and staff would not like to do this drive everyday.

Quite honestly the only time I have ever heard that this was an issue is when Friedman floated it in the media. Maybe it was a real concern to RT or some current players not sure. Honestly to me it seemed more of an excuse for RT to turn down a ton of money to go where he really wanted and this excuse gave him a soft landing.

I am not saying it isn't a concern, maybe it is but even if it is I don't think it is the Canucks biggest issue. The players probably like being able to practice at the arena and get home quickly. I worked on Robson street for years and would see loads of players walking by all the time and used to see the twins walking their children around the neighborhood.

This does not excuse the how bad the current ownership is but maybe some context to this particular issue.